Aeromedical Factors

Six general aviation pilots who live near sea level had strikingly different reactions to hypoxia when exposed to the rarefied air at the AirDocs high-altitude training chamber at Western Michigan University.

A tall (but true) tale of a rare aircraft find in Texas, progress on third class medical reform, amazing aviation videos, pilot saves, new aircraft from Mooney, and one pilot’s surprise of a lifetime topped the most-read stories of 2014.

Many in-flight emergencies arrive with fanfare: annunciator lights, engine sputtering, smoke. Hypoxia may insinuate itself into the cockpit quietly, without the pilot even knowing. In its subtlety lies danger.